Dulce Periculum

23. Doing Better

The scent of Mingi's perfume lingered in Yunho's sheets. Though the room reeked of sex and Yunho direly needed a shower, he was too obsessed with it. He slept late in the morning, snuggled into the fleeting scent of his boss and free of all dreams.

When he got up, he was rested, and he admitted he needed to clean up and ventilate the area he shared with San. After doing his laundry, he stopped by a convenience store to get himself a sandwich and some eggs and rented a bike to get to the headquarters quicker.

It was ridiculous how good he felt.

His mind was clear of its usual stuffiness, clearer perhaps than even before he awakened as an esper. He took in noises and scents as if a greasy film lifted off the world and his body felt light. The fever was cured overnight and Yunho could probably run a marathon without training right now.

And that was just a taste of things. Mingi and he hadn't gone the full way.

Guiding was addictive. Scary. Not something Yunho wanted to get used to.

Since his mind was so refreshed and sharp, Yunho remembered everything. Every moment was burnt into his mind with a big, fat badge of No.1 stamped on it to take over an important spot in his memories. He remembered the feeling of Mingi's hands on him and every single word. Calling him pet names, cooing over him.

Yunho never even considered being attracted to a man. Or liking sexual interaction with one.

With red ears, Yunho parked his bike next to the entrance and ducked into the building. Wooyoung wasn't at his desk right now, and Yunho hurried to get past before he would return.

He didn't know how to look Mingi in the eyes. What was he supposed to say? Everything felt so intimate and crazy, so significant to Yunho's life, even if it hadn't been for Mingi. Because he wasn't used to guiding? To sex?

It didn't matter. He should thank Mingi and be normal about it. After all, Mingi made his expectations clear and guiding was no big deal in this lifestyle. Yunho didn't need to delude himself or invite him for dinner.

But he wouldn't forget it anytime soon either...

Like a ghost, Yunho floated down the corridor. He felt detached from his physical form, unable to interact with his surroundings and unable to be perceived. Since he reached a higher level, he was far in his mind, digesting everything he experienced and the scent lingering in his nose.

Until a hand landed on his shoulder.

Yunho startled out of his skin, almost knocking his glasses off when he whipped around. Nonchalant, Jongho dodged his flailing.

"Hey, there you are. How are you?" He asked, and Yunho clutched a hand to his hammering heart. For a moment, he thought that would be Mingi. He wasn't ready yet to be questioned.

"H-Hi," Yunho stuttered, ruffled again. Jongho scanned him from head to toe.

"You look better today, but you are jumpier than ever. Did you finally receive guiding?"

Yunho peered at the ground, shy to nod. It was as if he was confessing he broke a vase to his mother. Somehow, it was humiliating. Did he commit a crime? No. Then was it because he had his first kiss? Or because it was Mingi he lost it to?

But Jongho just looked relieved he got on with it. His gummy grin was proud of Yunho for taking care of himself.

"Who was it? Wooyoung?"

Yunho's ears got hotter and hotter. He was afraid admitting to it would spread more rumours. Or that Mingi wouldn't want some D-class nerd on his tally. Would he want Yunho to stay quiet?